Announcements

In-Person worship continues  with appropriate distancing.  
Due to CDC instructions, we require wearing a mask.   

CALENDAR INFORMATION

This Sunday  Budget Meeting following worship.  in-person or via zoom (see link above)
Tuesday 7 pm Senior Choir
Thursday 10:30 a.m.   Study Group:  We begin a history of Christianity, from the Reformation to the Megachurch.
Thursday, 5:45 pm Youth Choir
Thursday, 7:15 pm Handbell Choir
Wednesday, Oct. 20  Women's Fellowship Lunch and Meeting at noon
October 24th, at 11:15.  Cemetery Committee
 

“Like a shepherd, he will separate the sheep from the goats,”
                                                                                                                                                                 - Matthew 25:32 (adapted)
        I don’t understand why Jesus could be simultaneously inclusive and exclusive. “Love your neighbor” is his meat and potatoes. The side dish he offers says we will be separated into groups of “sheep” and “goats.”
Here’s a possible interpretation of his side dish:
        Some of us remain tribal; others become culturally proficient. The latter believe in their God while appreciating the way other people believe in their Gods. It is more than tolerance – being “open”.  It is “affirming,” meaning that tolerance is a decent enough emotion while appreciation of diversity is a form of maturity.  Cultural proficiency. 
        Before we get to cultural proficiency, we need spiritual proficiency. Spiritual preparation is not just the goal of life; it is life. Spiritual proficiency is knowing that God is first and you are magnificently second. God loves you, the universe loves you, the cosmos loves you, and therefore you may love it back.
        “O God, let us appreciate both sheep and goats and, if we can’t, at least help us know we could.  Amen.”                                                     - Donna Schaper
 
 
Global Ministries Prayers for the Democratic Republic of the Congo  We pray that peace with justice may come to the people who have suffered for so many years for the most vulnerable, who are the hardest hit by the economic crises;  for the victims of the eruption of the volcano who are still without homes; for the refugees in the Equateur province that are fleeing the conflict in Central Africa;  for the victims of flooding on the Zongo river;  for credible, transparent, and peaceful elections in 2023 with a long-awaited democratic process finally restored. Lord Jesus Christ, you know us, you love us, you transform our lives and you call us to follow your example. O Christ, you are a servant of all. Help us learn to be humble. Help us to be more like you. Amen.
                                                                                                                                                            

Our Ministers:  the Congregation
Susan G. Latourette, Pastor – 860-759-4231, pastorsuel@yahoo.com
Michael G.  Noonan, Director of Music
Kay Lautzenheiser, Christian Education Coordinator
Rosemary Kuemper, Church Secretary
Charlotte Melia, Sexton      
Office hours:  Monday –Thursday, 9 am - 1 pm
860-535-0379       nostoucc@comcast.net

Worship Notes:
“A Call to Celebration” by David Angerman. Copyright  2009. Choristers Guild. All Rights Reserved.
“Contemplation” by Cynthia Dobrinski. Copyright 1991. Lake State Publications. All Rights Reserved.
“I Sing the Mighty Power of God” arr. Michael Bedford. Copyright 2000, Choristers Guild. All Rights Reserved. One License Song #CGA-884.
“Postlude in D” by C. Armstrong Gibbs (1889-1960). Public Domain.
Hymn #1, Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise;  Walter C. Smith; St. Denio.  Public Domain
Hymn #537, Christian, Rise and Act Your Creed, F.A.R. Russell, 1893; Innocents, The Parish Choir, 1850. 
Hymn #26, We Worship You, God; I. Watts; Lyons, attrib. J. M. Haydn
 
All Hymns from the (NCH) New Century Hymnal; © 1995 The Pilgrim Press, have been granted permission for this one-time use.      
Permission to reprint, podcast, and / or stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE with license #735340-A. All rights reserved.  Permissions granted under CCLI License # 11212116
Invocation courtesy of Rev. Allen Miller for 9-26.


 

Our mailing address is:                                         Website:  www.northstoningtonucc.com
89 Main Street, P.O. Box 66  
North Stonington CT  06359

unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences